Rock Star Death Notices - May 2015

Photo Caption: Henry Mckenna Delaney-Pothoff

Billy O’Connor (William P. O’Connor Jr.) - Died 3-29-2015 - Complications of a stroke (Rock) Born 10-4-1953 in Germany - Drummer - Worked with The Royal Society, The Stilletos, Angel And The Snake, Blondie, Eddie And The Otters, Planet Leo and The Elliotts.

Preston Ritter (Preston James Ritter) - Died 3-30-2015 (Rock - Psychedelic) Born 4-24-1949 - Drummer - Was a member of The Electric Prunes (They did, “Get Me To The World On Time” and “I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night)”) - Worked with Linda Ronstadt, The Beach Boys and Dobie Gray.

Cynthia Lennon (Cynthia Powell) - Died 4-1-2015 in Mallorca, Spain - Cancer - Born 9-10-1939 in Blackpool, Lancashire, England - She wrote the books, “A Twist Of Lennon” and “John” - At one time married to John Lennon - Mother of singer, Julian Lennon.

Dave Ball (David J. Ball) - Died 4-1-2015 (Rock) Born 3-30-1950 - Guitarist - (He did, “Don’t Forget Your Alligator” and “Old Aunties and Uncles”) - Was a member of Bedlam - Worked with Big Bertha, Procol Harum, Long John Baldry, The Nickey Barclay Band, Rashid Goes To Nizwa and The Palers.

Nedward Kaapana (aka Nicky Boy) - Died 4-3-2015 in Honolulu, Hawaii (Hawaiian) He was 66 years old - Played bass, guitar and ukulele - Was a member of Hui Ohana.

Emilio Nevarez - Died 4-5-2015 in Oakland, CA, U.S. - Shot (Punk) He was 26 years old - Bassist and singer - Was a member of The Lucky Eejits.

Al Bunetta - Died 4-5-2015 - Cancer - He was 72 years old - Was as a road manager for The Young Rascals and a talent manager for Al Green, Bette Midler, The Manhattan Transfer, John Prine and Steve Goodman - Co-founded Oh Boy Records which released recordings by Mac Wiseman, Kris Kristofferson, Todd Snider, Janis Ian and Shawn Camp.

Jarvis L. Smith - The B3 Prophet - Died 4-6-2015 (Gospel) Born 7-15-1980 in Daytona Beach - Organist and broadcaster - Worked with Marvin Sapp and John P. Kee.

Heiko Schrepel - Died 4-6-2015 (Punk) Born 5-6-1975 - Bassist and singer - Worked with One Man Army, U.S. Bombs and The Revolts.

Daiton Somanje - Died 4-7-2015 in Parirenyatwa, Zimbabwe - Menengitis - He was 47 years old - Guitarist - Was a member of Pengaudzoke (They did, “Kwatakabva Kure Nenhamo” and “Tsaona”.

Tut Taylor (Robert Arthur Taylor Sr.) - Died 4-9-2015 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, U.S. (Bluegrass) Born 11-20-1923 in Milledgeville, Georgia, U.S. - Played Dobro, mandolin and banjo - (He did, “Ghost Picker” and “This Ain’t Grass”) - Was a member of The Folkswingers - Worked with The Dixie Gentlemen and John Hartford.

Larry Deane - Died 4-12-2015 (Gospel - Bluegrass) He was 64 years old - Played mandolin - Was a member of The Deanes.

Percy Sledge - Died 4-14-2015 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. - Liver cancer (Soul) Born 11-25-1940 in Leighton, Alabama, U.S. - Singer - (He did, “When A Man Loves A Woman” and “Take Time To Know Her”) - Worked with The Esquires Combo - Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Inductee, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame Inductee, Alabama Music Hall Of Fame Inductee and Carolina Beach Music Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Billy Ray Hearn - Died 4-15-2015 - Born 4-26-1929 - Founder and chairman of The Capitol Christian Music Group Label - Formed Sparrow Records - Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductee.

Margo Reed - Died 4-15-2015 (Jazz) She was 73 years old - Singer - Worked with Armand Boatman - Arizona Blues Hall Of Fame Inductee.

Gary Ignacio - Died 4-17-2015 - Multiple organ failure (Rock) He was 49 years old - Singer - Was a member of Alamid (They did, “Your Love” and “Just Wasn’t Brave Enough”).

Eric Doney (Eric Allen Doney) - Died 4-17-2015 (Jazz) Born 1-22-1953 - Pianist - Worked with Jon Hendricks, David Johansen, Kim Parker, Al Cohn, Les Brown’s Band Of Renown, Bill Goodwin, and Steve Gilmore - Was a conductor for Connie Stevens and a musical director for Englebert Humperdink - Formed Pacific Street Records where he produced Phil Woods, Bob Dorough, John Coates Jr. and Scott Jarrett.

Wally Lester - Died 4-21-2015 in Southport, North Carolina, U.S. - Pancreatic cancer (R&B) He was 73 years old - Singer - Was a member of The Skyliners (They did, “Since I Don’t Have You” and “This I Swear”).

Henry McKenna Delaney-Potthoff - Died 03-07-2015 in Madison, WI, U.S. - Born 03-06-1985 in Cambridge, MA, U.S. - He was 30 years old - Guitarist (Jazz, Folk) - Member of Harmonious Wail with his parents Sims and Maggie, also was a member of Zombie Legion from New Orleans.

Guy LeBlanc - Died 04-27-2015 - He was 54 years old - Cancer (Prog) - Keyboardist- was a member of Camel (they did “Lunar Sea” and “A Song Within a Song”) As well as his work with Camel, LeBlanc ran his own band Nathan Mahl and also put out a number of solo records.

Suzanne Crough - Died 04-27-2015 Nevada, U.S.- Born 03-06-1953 Fullerton, CA, U.S. - She was 52 years old - Played Tambourine and sang backing vocals on the Television sitcom “The Partridge Family”. Also did voice and acting work from 1970 to 1980 for various television shows, including “The Flintstones”.

Jack Ely - Died 04-27-2015 Terrebonne, OR, U.S. - Born 09-11-1943 Portalnd, OR, U.S. - He was 71 years old - Unknown Illness (rock) - Guitar, Vocals - Co-founder of the Kingsmen (They did “Louie Louie”)